May 16, 2011 at
9:23 AM

First reported by Katrina Waugh of the Roanoke Times, Junichi Tazawa is scheduled to make a rehab start on Friday with the High-A Salem Red Sox. Tazawa, 24, was last seen on a mound September 4, 2009, as he pitched in relief for Boston against the Chicago White Sox.

Signed at the end of 2008 as an international free agent, Tazawa rocketed through the Boston system, having great success in Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket before reaching the majors with Boston on August 7, 2009.

Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery last April, as he experienced elbow pain toward the end of 2009 and again during Spring Training in 2010. There is no word yet on a timetable for Tazawa's progress.